About Us Contact us Kannada

Bengaluru, Nov 24 (PTI): With the DK Shivakumar camp pushing hard for his elevation as Chief Minister of Karnataka in light of a rumoured power sharing agreement with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the CM on Monday said he will continue in the post if the party high commands decides so, remarks his deputy endorsed as "vedavakya (sacrosanct) for us."

With more legislators backing the deputy CM apparently knocking the doors of Congress leaders in Delhi with a plea to implement the purported agreement, Siddaramaiah reiterated Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's statement that the party will take a call on leadership change, an issue that has been hotly debated in Karnataka's power corridors over the past many days.

Six MLAs backing Shivakumar for the top post reached Delhi on Sunday, while more are expected to join them in their bid to lobby for their leader's elevation, even as a set of legislators had earlier flown to Delhi over the same issue.

ALSO READ: If Cong high command decides, I will continue as CM: Siddaramaiah

On Monday, Siddaramaiah said the high command takes the ultimate call on the leadership change, and that it should be accepted by himself as well as his deputy.

"We will abide by the high command decision. If they decide I should continue (as CM), I will continue. Ultimately, whatever the high command decides, I should accept it. Shivakumar should also accept it," Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

Asked if Shivakumar, also the state Congress chief, would become the CM, he said, "When I have said the high command will decide, you are asking me the same thing again."

Responding, Shivakumar who shared the dais with the CM at an official event, said the remarks of the veteran leader are "veda vakya" for us.

"Once he (Siddaramaiah) has said, it is veda vakya for us," Shivakumar said.

ALSO READ: More Karnataka Cong legislators backing Shivakumar travel to Delhi

Expressing his agreement to the CM's statement on the issue, he called Siddaramaiah an "asset" for the Congress party, and that everyone is working together in the government under his guidance.

Asked about some more Congress MLAs going to Delhi, he said they have a desire to become ministers, amid talks of cabinet reshuffle and asked "what's wrong" with that."

"As the CM said, we can't stop anyone from going to Delhi where our leaders are, where our party office, which is like a temple, is. To build their future, they will go. What's wrong? If they make any statements against the party, form groups, organise dinners, and go against the party, it will violate party discipline. I don't know what they (legislators) have said. As there were talks about cabinet reshuffle they have gone, hoping to get a chance," he said

The power tussle within the ruling party has intensified, amid speculations of CM change in the state, after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.

The speculation is fueled by reports of the so-called power-sharing agreement reached in 2023, suggesting a rotational CM tenure between the two influential leaders.

Earlier in the day, both leaders shared a stage at an event here, where Siddaramaiah inaugurated a high-tech silk cocoon market, launched various development works worth around Rs 2,000 crore, and distributed social security scheme benefits to selected beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, senior Minister K J George, considered close to Siddaramaiah, clarified on a recent late night meeting with Shivakumar, stating that they only discussed government matters and the upcoming Bengaluru corporation election.

He denied discussing leadership change or being tasked by the party with mediation.

Speaking to reporters in Yadgir, he said, "Shivakumar is the Deputy CM, a party colleague and we keep meeting, what is wrong in that? I have discussed government matters with Shivakumar, also the upcoming Bengaluru corporation election. AICC has not given me any responsibility to discuss (on leadership issues)."

Replying to a question, George asserted that "there is no rebellion in the party for it to be pacified. We are all a Congress family."

Meanwhile, former KPCC chief and Home Minister G Parameshwara has also thrown his hat in the ring, amid calls for a Dalit CM to take over the reins in the event of a leadership change.

Besides the six pro-Shivakumar MLAs who are in Delhi now, few more legislators are likely to travel soon to pitch for the KPCC chief as CM, party sources said.

The MLAs who are camping in Delhi are -- H C Balakrishna, K M Uday, Nayana Motamma, Iqbal Hussain, Sharath Bachegowd and Shivaganga Basavaraj, sources added.

Siddaramaiah had earlier met AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru.

Kharge has also stated that the Congress high command will decide on the matter.

Last week, about 10 MLAs supporting Shivakumar travelled to New Delhi and met Kharge, as the Congress government completed 2.5 years in office on November 20.

Shivakumar, however, had then said he was not aware of legislators travelling to Delhi to meet Kharge.

Subsequently, Siddaramaiah on Saturday held more than an hour long meeting with Kharge at his residence here.

While Siddaramaiah is pushing for a reshuffle of his Cabinet, Shivakumar wants the party to first decide on leadership change, Congress sources have said.

According to several party insiders, the high command's nod for a cabinet reshuffle would mean Siddaramaiah will complete the full five-year term, thus denying Shivakumar the elevation.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.

Comments

Noida: Noida: A viral video by an Instagram influencer with the username @just_happie, claiming that crowds at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Jewar airport inauguration were “paid” or arranged, has reportedly been withheld in India. 

In the viral clip, the influencer is seen showing buses and claiming that students from institutions across Greater Noida were transported to the venue.

“At the inauguration of India's biggest international airport in Jewar, so many devotees of Modi ji have taken their precious time to gather to see him. If you feel like this too, you are wrong. The crowd you see here is not natural but made up.

"All the school and college students of Greater Noida have been brought here. In fact, even my college students will get two whole days of free attendance. I don’t know how many beneficiaries have been reported. After coming here, I want to say one thing to Modiji, there is so much traffic in 29-degree temperature and food being given is Parle biscuit,” the influencer alleged in the video.

At the same time, videos of students from Galgotias University alleging “free attendance” for attending the event are also going viral.

Vartha Bharathi could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

Reacting to the viral clip, several users on X questioned the arrangements and intent behind the event.

One user asked, “Is Modi on duty or off duty during the inauguration? Is this event paid for by taxpayers? Why do we need to waste taxpayer money on useless inaugurations to promote BJP Modi?”

Another wrote, “Join the rally for one day and bunk college for two days. So basically, three days of education have been wasted for a political rally.”

A third user commented, “the world is on the edge of a global crisis and this man is doing publicity,” while another quipped, “Mobile phones will not be allowed from next event!”

Another post questioned why students were allegedly mobilised despite the party having a large organisational base.

Earlier, a screenshot purportedly from a faculty member also went viral, claiming that attendance was mandatory for students on March 28, 2026, and that buses had been arranged from the campus to take them to the airport inauguration. The message further stated that two days’ attendance would be granted for attending the event.

Separately, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate shared a screenshot allegedly sent to media personnel invited for the event. “I am told this message has been shared with the media, which has been invited for the inauguration ceremony of the Jewar airport. What is Mr Modi so scared of?” she wrote.

The screenshot outlined certain protocols, including restrictions such as no OB vans, prohibition on black clothing, and a ban on live streaming, while instructing media to arrive at the venue by 9:00 AM.

In another viral video, a man is seen showing buses lined up near Galgotias University, alleging that students were being transported to the venue due to low public turnout.

 

 

Meanwhile, in a subsequent post, the influencer said, "as you know that video has been deleted, and on this topic this is my last video. Honestly I did not want to do this video as well, because for the past 60-70 days I have been consistently posting videos daily, and it involves very much hard work. And I don't want to obviously get my channel banned. That video was made only for vlog purpose.”

“Mainly, nation’s interest is first, nothing is bigger than the nation. I did not say anything against any political party or individual. I only pointed out about a lack of management at the event. However, after that social media users started calling me anti-national, congressi and other things,” she said.

She further stated, ' I reiterate once again, my fight is not against any political party, but it's my responsibility to question the party that I voted for. That's why it's also important to question the government equally.”

“I would like to say I need development and safety. We need clean air and clean water. We want the growth and beauty of our country. After this, I will ensure that I don't upload any videos on this topic,” she added.

Meanwhile, several other X accounts and Instagram handles that allegedly posted content critical of the government were also restricted.

According to reports, parody accounts like @DrNimoYadav, @ Nehr_who, @indian_armada satirical handles like @ mrjethwani_and @Doc_RGM. Commentator and activist Sandeep Singh's account were also withheld.

Videos of users sharing their experiences are also doing rounds on social media.

 

All Stories

Jazeera likely to operate bi-weekly charter flights between Kuwait-M'luru via Dammam from April 8
Jazeera likely to operate bi-weekly charter flights between Kuwait-M'luru via Dammam from April 8

Kuwaiti low-cost carrier, Jazeera Airways will likely operate special bi-weekly charter flights between Kuwait and Mangaluru via Dammam starting April 8, 2026, sources said.
Rizvi's unbeaten 70 helps DC beat LSG by six wickets
Rizvi's unbeaten 70 helps DC beat LSG by six wickets

Sameer Rizvi struck a brilliant unbeaten half-century as an all-round Delhi Capitals beat Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets in their Indian Premier League match here on Wednesday.
US offers $3 million reward for information on attacks in Iraq
US offers $3 million reward for information on attacks in Iraq

The United States has announced a reward of $3 million for information related to recent attacks on its diplomatic and military-linked facilities in Iraq.

Copyright © 2026. Vartha Bharati. All rights reserved